IOC/INF-1341 Paris, 13 November 2017 English only INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION (of UNESCO) INFORMATION DOCUMENT INTERNATIONAL (UN) DECADE OF OCEAN SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT “TOWARDS THE OCEAN WE NEED FOR THE FUTURE WE WANT” Summary1 This document was first circulated for comments to IOC Member States through IOC Circular Letter No 2657 on 2 February 2017. The objectives of this document are to elaborate the idea of, and argue the case for, an international decade on ocean science for sustainable development. The endorsement to pursue further elaboration of the idea followed its initial presentation and discussion at the IOC Executive Council in June 2016. The context is provided by the 2030 Agenda and related UN frameworks, namely the Sendai Framework for Risk Reduction 2015, the SAMOA Pathway for SIDS 2014, the UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties, COP-21 in Paris 2015 and COP- 22 in Marrakech 2016, together with previous intergovernmental agreements. The bases include: (i) the conclusions of the First Global World Ocean Assessment, in particular that we are running out of time to effectively protect the world ocean from multiple interactive stressors; and (ii) the finding of the Scientific Advisory Board of the UN Secretary General that, of eight Grand Challenges the world community is facing, the most important one is improving ocean science and effective management for the development of sustainable ocean knowledge-based economics. On these foundations, the document addresses a wide and diverse set of marine-related interests, including ocean science, sustained observations, marine environment problems and ocean (blue) economy. A historical analysis of developments over the 50-year period since the International Decade of Ocean Exploration 1971–1980 suggests that governments need to engage and act in partnership with the many different ocean communities in order to achieve focus, cohesiveness, cooperation and coordination of efforts. An International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, potentially under the UN auspices, emerges as the promising path towards “THE OCEAN WE NEED FOR THE FUTURE WE WANT.” 1 Since the publication of this document, the IOC Assembly through Resolution XXIX-1 and the General Conference of UNESCO through Resolution 39 C/25 formally endorsed the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development respectively in June and November 2017. Later in 2017, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the United Nations Decade on Ocean Science for Sustainable Development for the 10-year period beginning on 1st January 2021 and entrusted IOC-UNESCO as lead to develop its implementation plan (A/RES/72/73). FOREWORD The proposed "International (UN) decade of ocean science for sustainable development - Towards the ocean we need for the future we want" describes an initiative to develop a programme of work together with all interested parties in order to achieve major parts of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda related to the ocean. The document is intended as starting point for further elaboration in discussion with Member States of IOC-UNESCO, other UN bodies and external collaborators. The document provides a broad rationale and context, outlines possible goals and activities, themes and end results. It has been prepared as follow-up of a decision by the IOC Executive Council during its agenda item "Future of the IOC" in June 2016. The IOC Council encouraged the IOC Officers to pursue and develop such an initiative for an in-depth examination by the IOC Assembly in June 2017. The initial idea for an IOC-led initiative in this direction was discussed at an IOC Officers meeting in January 2016. The discussion there and the further development has engaged all of us who have been involved, but it is fair to say that the process and the production of the written material has been skillfully facilitated by Gunnar Kullenberg, former IOC Executive Secretary. We owe him great thanks for his insight and effort. Now we encourage an active and broad discussion of the directions the initiative should take, including potential contributions to execution of its major components. Peter M. Haugan Vladimir Ryabinin IOC Chair IOC Executive Secretary IOC/INF-1341 INTRODUCTION The initial target audiences of this document include ocean and marine communities, associated private enterprises and sectors, national agencies in Member States of the IOC, and international partners of the IOC, inside and outside of the UN system. The objectives of the document are to elaborate the idea of, and argue the case for, an international decade on ocean science for sustainable development, to be aimed at “the ocean we need for the future we want”. The Ocean Decade would provide a framework and a focus for partnership and concerted action to implement the UN Sustainable Development 2030 Agenda with respect to the marine environment. It would also address the marine aspects of other related UN agreements. The main objectives would be: 1) to make a decisive step for turning the scientific knowledge and understanding of the ocean and sea floor processes and conditions about marine resources into effective actions supporting improved ocean management, stewardship and sustainable development of the ocean (blue) economy; and 2) to identify and fill the significant remaining gaps in our knowledge. An international decade on ocean science, referred to as the Ocean Decade in this document, preferably under the auspices of the United Nations, would bring out an increased understanding of the need to take urgent actions to maintain a life-supporting ocean and ensure adequate protection and adaptive management of the marine environment. This enhanced understanding, based on effective communication of scientific knowledge and the need to support oceanographic research and observations, is a prerequisite for generating commitments among governments and other stakeholders, and for creating a new level of awareness in the public about the state and future of the ocean. Science is indeed central for managing such a complex system as the ocean. The Ocean Decade would establish still missing or strengthen existing but weak links of science to marine applications of direct societal benefit, such as adaptation to climate change. This may include substantial technological developments and related transfer of marine technology, including modelling tools, through persistent cooperation over time, also stimulating capacity building. It is hoped that this document would help to facilitate consultations and exchange of views on the concept of the Ocean Decade and stimulate its further elaboration. In order to give a reasonably complete and integrated overview and endeavour to reach out to the wide and diverse community of marine-related interests, the document touches upon ocean research, observations, marine environment problems, and economy. It also provides a historical perspective (detailed in annex) and is centred on the ocean dimension of the 2030 Agenda and other international agreements. 1. SPIRIT AND OPPORTUNITY OF THE 2030 AGENDA The celebration of the seventy years of the United Nations saw the endorsement of a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The corresponding resolution “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015. In the Preamble to the resolution, the UN Member States express the determination to protect the planet from degradation, end poverty and hunger, ensure that economic, social and technological progress occur in harmony with nature, and foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies free from fear and violence. Resolution A/RES/70/1 sets out a “supremely ambitious and transformational vision” and envisages a world “in which consumption and production patterns and use of all natural resources- from air to land, from rivers, lakes and aquifers to ocean and seas- are sustainable”, under good governance and rule of law. It recognizes that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and that increases in global temperature, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and other impacts are seriously affecting coastal areas, especially in low-lying coastal countries, including many least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS). The statement “the survival of many societies, and of biological support systems of the planet, is at risk” acknowledges the gravity of the continuing environmental deterioration of the ocean and depletion of its resources. IOC/INF-1341 – page 2 The resolution also notes, however, that this is a time of immense opportunity. Significant progress has been made in meeting many development challenges. The revolution in information and communication technologies generates a great potential to build active knowledge societies and achieve scientific and technological innovations across many diverse areas. The new Development Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals represents a pledge by the world leaders for common action and endeavour across a broad and universal policy agenda never seen before. Through the 2030 Agenda “we are setting out together on a path towards sustainable development, devoting ourselves collectively to the pursuit of global development and of “win-win” cooperation which can bring huge gains to all countries and all parts of the world. The Agenda will be “implemented for the full benefit of all, for the generation of today and